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Sympathy for the Owls - Printable Version

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Sympathy for the Owls - Trevmiesterj - 08-25-2017

It's hard not to feel concerned for the state of Rice University as Harvey descends upon the Texas coastline.  Even though the City of Houston has not formally called for the evacuation of campus, the impending storm has got to weigh heavy on the minds of the Rice players, many of whom are from Texas and the Greater Houston area.  Being far from home and trying to stay focused on playing a football game while loved ones, property and home towns are under threat cannot be overstated as a distraction.

If you have a minute, I think the Dean Hutch's note to parents is worth a read.  If any Rice fans happen to be grazing on the Cardboard, please stay safe and dry.

Quote:Dean of Undergraduates John Hutchinson sent this message to the parents and families of students Friday morning.

Dear Rice Parents and Families:

We know that many of you are nervously watching the weather forecasts and are anxious about your student’s safety.  I write to assure you of several things.  First, Rice’s Crisis Management Team is carefully monitoring all developments and putting all preparations in place to maintain the safety of the campus and our students.  The safety of our students is the top priority for all decisions being made.  Second, we have plenty of food and water to support our students throughout this storm and the aftermath.  Third, we are inviting all off-campus students to stay on campus with us, and they are welcome to dine in the colleges regardless of whether they have a meal plan.  All meals will be served as scheduled.

You can monitor Rice’s responses to the storm via emergency.rice.edu.

One very important point to note: Based on the current situation, the City of Houston is not calling for evacuation of our campus. However, some southern counties are evacuating, which will likely result in jammed roadways.  Since our campus is not in the suggested or required evacuation area, we discourage students from evacuating to their home cities. We have experience with storms, and that experience tells us that only students who live near campus should consider going to their homes.

I have met with the college magisters and with the student leadership of all colleges to put plans in place, and I have notified the student body of our expectations to maintain everyone’s safety.  You can help me with this message by encouraging your student to abide by all safety precautions and to follow all instructions.

Best wishes,
Dean Hutch






Re: Sympathy for the Owls - fullmetal - 08-25-2017

It was fortuitous that the game is being played in Sydney now, rather than Houston.  No one could have foreseen this, but sometimes small mercies are granted.  Here's hoping infrastructure has improved enough to handle this sort of weather for the sake of all those affected.

Re: Sympathy for the Owls - Trevmiesterj - 08-25-2017

That is exactly what the Rice fans were saying on the Parliament board, although at least one thought a wet field with wind and rain might work to their advantage had the game been played at Rice Stadium.

Re: Sympathy for the Owls - stupac2 - 08-25-2017

(08-25-2017, 02:58 PM)fullmetal link Wrote:It was fortuitous that the game is being played in Sydney now, rather than Houston.  No one could have foreseen this, but sometimes small mercies are granted.  Here's hoping infrastructure has improved enough to handle this sort of weather for the sake of all those affected.

Well, the game would presumably be next week instead of this week if it were a normal away game, but that could still have serious logistical issues.

And from what I've read the question is really just how bad things get, not if they'll be fine. Hopefully people have listened to the evacuation notices...

Re: Sympathy for the Owls - Hurlburt88 - 08-25-2017

I got stuck in Houston in terrible floods twice in the last 4 years, and I think this storm will dump more rain than those two events.  So definitely concerned for how this plays out. 

Re: Sympathy for the Owls - BostonCard - 08-25-2017

(08-25-2017, 04:40 PM)hurlburt88 link Wrote:I got stuck in Houston in terrible floods twice in the last 4 years, and I think this storm will dump more rain than those two events.  So definitely concerned for how this plays out.

I don't know about Houston specifically, but I think the predictions for this storm are higher than any predictions NOAA has made, ever.  Two to three feet of water coming down seems incredible, and I find it hard to believe that major areas in coastal Texas won't flood, regardless of how well prepared they are.

I am thinking good thoughts for the people in Texas... I really hope that the projections turn out to have been overly pessimistic, and that everyone is ok.

BC

Re: Sympathy for the Owls - winflop - 08-26-2017

(08-25-2017, 02:58 PM)fullmetal link Wrote:It was fortuitous that the game is being played in Sydney now, rather than Houston.  No one could have foreseen this, but sometimes small mercies are granted.  Here's hoping infrastructure has improved enough to handle this sort of weather for the sake of all those affected.

Unfortunately there is only so much infrastructure can do when the entire area is built on heavy clay soil. It doesn't absorb water, which means when rain hits the ground it doesn't go down it goes out. The flooding over the next week or longer is going to be massive and unavoidable. My thoughts & prayers with the millions along the entire TX gulf coast region


Re: Sympathy for the Owls - fullmetal - 08-27-2017

Indeed.  A good chunk of the city used to be bayou as well.  And Houston is near the coast--always bad to be downstream of a large watershed.  West Houston (Katy, etc.) has been heavily developed over the last decade, so there's a lot more impermeable cover there preventing more ground absorption (little as it may be).